Mariano Rivera blows save as Yankees lose in Texas, 7-6

APTexas Rangers' David Murphy is congratulated by Nelson Cruz after scoring on a Vladimir Guerrero double in the third inning.

By JAIME ARON

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Mariano Rivera blew it, ending the New York Yankees' perfect
record when leading after eight innings.

Pitching
the ninth inning with a one-run lead, Rivera allowed a tying double to
Ian Kinsler, then hit Jeff Francoeur on the left shoulder with the
bases loaded, giving the Texas Rangers a 7-6 victory over the New York
Yankees on Saturday night in yet another long game.

A
night after Texas won the series opener in 13 innings, lasting 5 hours,
12 minutes, this one took 4:16 - plus a 59-minute rain delay in the
bottom of the fifth inning. The teams also went from using 19 pitchers
on Friday night to using 14.

The Yankees were 76-0 when leading after eight before Rivera's third blown save opportunity of the year.

Much of the crowd of 49,210 - second-largest this season - stuck around to watch the Rangers win their fourth straight game.

The
Yankees lost for the fifth time in six games. Their lead in the AL East
dipped to a half-game because Tampa Bay beat Toronto 13-1.

After
blowing leads of 4-2 and 5-3, the Rangers had one last chance against
Rivera (3-3), who worked two innings in Friday night's marathon.

Vladimir
Guerrero started the rally with a leadoff walk and Nelson Cruz followed
with a single. Kinsler doubled down the third-base line to tie it.

After
an intentional walk to load the bases, Rivera's first pitch plunked
Francoeur, scoring Cruz after he hit solo homers for the tying and
winning runs Friday night.

Rivera stood on
the mound with his hands on his hips as Texas players rushed out of the
dugout in celebration, with team owner Nolan Ryan smiling and leading
the cheers from the front row. There is some added significance because
the teams could meet in the first round of the playoffs.